Fall. Autumn. Pumpkin spice season. Whatever name you prefer, there's no denying the magic of this transition from sizzling summer afternoons to crisp, cool evenings. It's pretty much the best time of year—just ask Ree Drummond, who calls autumn her absolute favorite season. "There's something truly special about this time of year, when the relentless heat fades away and life settles back into a comforting routine," she says.
And it’s not just the return to routine that feels so cozy. There's the excitement of tailgating season, pumpkin spice lattes finally reappearing at your local café, and sweaters you've almost forgotten about emerge from your closet. Autumn also brings an abundance of delicious produce, making it peak season for indulgent recipes like spiced pumpkin pie
and warm apple cinnamon bread. Before you dive headlong into baking sessions and cozy movie marathons, though, it's helpful to know exactly when fall officially begins in 2025.
So, when is the first day of fall. this year? It all hinges on the fall equinox, which shifts slightly from year to year. Maybe you've heard the term "equinox" but aren't totally clear on what it means. Simply put, there are two equinoxes each year—autumnal and vernal. During these events, Earth's axis isn't tilted toward or away from the sun, creating a unique balance: nearly equal daylight and darkness worldwide. Unlike solstices, which mark the longest and shortest days, the equinoxes signal the starts of spring and fall.
Now that you're caught up on the basics, keep reading to find out exactly when you'll want to circle the first day of fall on your 2025 calendar!
When is the first day of fall in 2025?
The first day of fall lands on Monday, September 22, 2025. (But remember, this applies to the Northern Hemisphere only. For folks south of the equator, September 22 marks the start of spring!) From this point forward, days gradually become shorter until the winter solstice. If losing sunlight feels a bit gloomy, just think of all the cozy fall movies you'll now have an excuse to binge-watch!
Does fall start on the same day every year?
The first day of fall typically falls within a narrow window, usually September 22 or 23. Occasionally, it might be as early as September 21 or as late as September 24. However, it's extremely rare—the last September 21 equinox occurred over 1,000 years ago, and the next September 24 won't happen until 2303!
What is the fall equinox?
Though the autumnal equinox officially marks fall's start, it's also wrapped up in myth and folklore. The ancient Greeks, for example, believed it marked Persephone's return to the underworld, causing her mother Demeter to mourn by halting growth on earth until spring.
The term "equinox" comes from two Latin words: aequus, meaning equal, and nox, meaning night. It references the approximately equal length of day and night experienced around the globe. While not exactly perfect down to the minute everywhere, it's close enough!
How is the fall equinox related to the Harvest Moon?
Every full moon brings a brilliant nighttime glow, but autumn's Harvest Moon provides a few extra evenings of illumination. Farmers historically relied on this extended moonlight to complete harvesting before frost arrived. The Harvest Moon is defined as the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox, usually appearing in September or early October, depending on the equinox timing and lunar cycle.
What time is the 2025 autumnal equinox?
If you want to celebrate fall's arrival down to the exact minute, here's when you should have your pumpkin spice treat ready, depending on your time zone:
- Eastern Time: According to Time and Date, the fall equinox in 2025 will happen at 2:19 p.m. EDT on September 22.
- Central Time: For those of you in the Central time zone, the fall season will officially begin at 1:19 p.m. CST on September 22.
- Mountain Time: If you live in a Mountain time zone area, the autumnal equinox will occur at 12:19 p.m. MDT on September 22.
- Pacific Time: Over in the Pacific time zone, the fall equinox will arrive at 11:19 a.m. PDT on September 22.
Erin Cavoto is the Editorial Assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com, covering food, holidays, home decor, and more.
